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CASS: Equipment Training for Students

At Hugg & Hall, we pride ourselves on not only our high levels of customer service through our parts, rental, and service departments, but also through our training programs. We care about the future of the skilled trade workforce, which is why we offer equipment training and certifications for students who are at least 18 years old. 

High School Students Learn Skilled Trades

“CASS”, a.k.a the Career Academy of Siloam Springs strives to encourage students to become skilled workers before graduating High School. Students in this program are able to complete hands on learning and instructional courses taught by professionals in the business during their High School years. Thanks to the opportunities CASS offers, these students will be able to succeed at having a career in a local manufacturing plant, such as Simmons Foods, or Tyson, immediately after graduation.

CASS works with local companies to provide various kinds of equipment training for their students. Opportunities for students in this program have included courses in welding, HVAC, electrical, and even trucking! Because many students graduate and go on to study at universities, skilled workers and laborers are in short supply. The CASS program encourages change and produce groups of young skilled workers who are excited to learn a skilled trade! 

To learn more about the CASS program, visit their Facebook page, here! 

Hugg &Hall Hosts CASS for Student Lift Training

The Siloam Springs CASS program has trusted Hugg & Hall to provide equipment training for their students for the last 4 years. Hugg & Hall has also provided student training for programs in Berryville as well as Clarksville for the last several years. At the end of April, ten students attended courses at our Springdale, AR location to be trained on safe forklift and aerial lift operations. Warehouse and manufacturing operations covet these skills from potential workers.

Students attended an in depth instructional course in our training room each morning with professional trainer and certified operator, Bob Hendricks. After their classroom instruction, the students stepped outside to receive hands on forklift operations training and aerial lift training. Thanks to our training department, these students have officially completed and passed the courses. Because of the high standard of quality assurance Hugg & Hall has, the students are able to state to companies that they can safely and certifiably operate these pieces of machinery.

“I love teaching young students! They come into class ready to learn as a blank slate. Sometimes when you teach those who have been in the business for a long time, getting them to unlearn bad habits can be difficult. Students who come into our training sessions are eager to learn and learn the right way.” – Bob Hendricks, trainer

 

Training with Hugg & Hall:

Hugg & Hall provides safety training for all of our equipment in order to keep you and your company OSHA compliant. Our Training Department commits themselves to exceeding OSHA’s stringent requirements; featuring experienced and highly trained instructors. Training is offered on warehouse, yard, and rough terrain forklifts, as well as aerial work platforms, Bobcat Equipment, and pedestrian training.

To learn more and book your next forklift operations training session, check out the Operator Training section of our website:

Equipment Safety Training Certifications – Hugg & Hall Equipment Co. (hugghall.com)

The Future in Equipment Training

Earlier this month, the Fayetteville Public Library in Fayetteville, AR opened the J.B. & Johnelle Hunt Family Center for Innovation. This space provides patrons with free and public access to technology and educational resources. The Center for Innovation stems from the 2020 expansion of the library, which added more than 5,000 square feet to the building. The new space offers access to workforce simulation, virtual reality, audio/video production and editing, and a robotics/fabrication lab.

The Crossland Companies Simulation Lab offers training on equipment such as large trucks, hydraulic excavators, and forklifts. These simulators offer a similar experience as hands-on training. Participants are able to log hours and then use those hours towards their certification. These simulators allow library goers to learn various trades and gain valuable knowledge that can launch them into the workforce.

Will this make a difference in the equipment training world? Absolutely. These simulators allow more people to gain training. This training allows for more efficient starting employees and less time spent on onsite training. Geared towards teens and those interested in heavy equipment, the opportunity to learn these skills come at a much earlier age.

The world needs tradesmen and the simulation lab gives people the opportunity to try out these machines and see if these fields of work are right for them- free of cost. With the construction boom currently happening, there are plenty of opportunities to come.

The library is already working on adding more simulators in the future to allow training on other pieces of equipment. A tool rental center/shop is in the works as well, with hopes to open in late 2022.

Hugg & Hall Parts Professionals Attend Gold Level Certification Training at Toyota Manufacturing Facility in Indiana

Hugg & Hall Parts Professionals Attend Gold Level Certification Training at Toyota Manufacturing Facility in Indiana

Michael Cooper (second from left), Josh Napier (second from right)

Hugg & Hall Equipment Company (Hugg & Hall) parts professionals, Michael Cooper and Josh Napier, recently attended training at the Toyota Manufacturing Facility in Columbus, Ind. Cooper and Napier trained for Gold Level certification in Toyota parts. There are three levels of parts certification: Bronze, Silver and Gold. 

“On the Gold Level, we took a tour of the manufacturing floor and learned how that process works in coordination with the parts process and how each use a lot of the same thought processes,” said Cooper, who is a member of the Little Rock parts team. “We toured the parts warehouse and saw everything from the customer service people to how efficient the warehouse and shipping departments are. Also, how to incorporate some of their processes into what we do on a local level every day. And, about how to work better with customers one-on-one and help them understand the value of what Toyota has to offer.”

Napier, who works at the Fort Smith branch in the parts team, expressed gratitude to Hugg & Hall for the opportunity to attend the out-of-state event. 

“I am privileged to work for a company that is willing to send its employees to this type of training,” said Napier. “The experience was amazing and seeing how Toyota does their process was great.” 

The training also consisted of studying Toyota’s definition of value which pertains to the idea that customers will be willing to pay more for a part or service if they believe the quality is worth the extra expense. They also studied Toyota’s dictum of “Kaizen,” which urges the notion of continuous improvement in small steps that eventually manifest into big, positive changes.

Quality is the hallmark of the Toyota Production System practiced at all Toyota manufacturing facilities, including the Toyota Manufacturing Facility in Columbus, which was named a 2011 North American Best Plant by IndustryWeek Magazine and is a member of the National Safety Council. Toyota’s commitment to excellence in customer service extends throughout the United States and Canada. With more than 70 authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers and more than 220 dealership locations throughout North America, Toyota dealers offer comprehensive customer service and support, including one-stop shopping for both new and used lift trucks, rentals, parts and service, fleet servicing and financing.

Hugg & Hall would like to thank Cooper and Napier for their hard work and their dedication to continuous improvement!

Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper

Michael Cooper Award